Page 28 of Whispers from the Past

‘So well! That was such a good idea - thank you.’

‘You’re most welcome. Need any more prizes?’

‘I think we could always do with more. But I’m stumped,’ she confessed as she took the proffered tea and sank down into the patchwork chesterfield.

‘I might have a couple of ideas.’ Rose sat forward expectantly. ‘The first is an easy one - I’ll put together a book hamper. But the second one is a bit of an odd one, and it comes with a condition.’

‘I’m listening,’ she encouraged.

‘Mrs Gibson from the farm shop has got llamas and is keen to start up a walk experience with them.’

‘And she’ll give us one as a prize?’

‘Yes, but there’s a condition. She got the llamas to help combat her loneliness after her sister died. She found caring for them and walking them to be quite therapeutic. She also enjoyed chatting to people she met whilst out walking them.’

‘A bit like with dogs then?’

‘Yes, just like that. Except bigger and more prone to spitting,’ Rose laughed as Eleanor continued, ‘So her walks will be booked by individuals and then Mrs. Gibson will pair the people up for their walk.’

‘Like a blind…platonic date?’

‘I suppose so. Maybe I should get her to consider it as a dating service though,’ Eleanor chuckled.

‘So the prize will be two tickets, but to be won by two different people?’

‘Exactly! Sound ok?’

‘Sounds great - and that means I’ve got eight prizes.’ Rose gulped down the last of her tea and set the cup down on the side. ‘Holly will be impressed.’

Holly was more than impressed when she heard the news. She came rushing around the bar to hug her. ‘I told you you’re a star,’ she beamed at her. Rose laughed and playfully pushed her away as Luke came into the pub.

‘What’s all the excitement?’ he asked a flushed Rose

‘Holly just got a bit over excited about the raffle prizes,’ she explained.

‘Rose is selling herself short. She’s done an amazing job,’ Holly interrupted and then pulled her into another hug.

‘All in a day’s work,’ she called behind her as she made her way out of the pub.

‘See you at the raffle?’ Luke’s voice surprised her as he followed her out of the pub.

‘Yes. I need to see how popular all my prizes are. It was quite exhausting making all the phone calls and having to speak to so many different people to persuade them to donate things.’

‘I’m sure the raffle will be a success,’ he paused before adding, ‘how are things going with Tony?’

‘He’s been a good friend - he and Holly have kept me busy whilst I’ve settled in.’

Luke fiddled with the change in his hand. It seemed as if he was working up to say something, so Rose was surprised when he just said ‘see you Wednesday then.’ And with that he turned and went back into the pub.

She sat down on the small bench outside the bookshop in the cool April evening air, to compose herself before going back inside to get ready for her second art class. Coming in all red faced and flustered about her interaction with Luke would invite far too many questions. She shook her head to try and clear the confusion that she nearly always felt around Luke. It didn’t help. The confusion hung around her head like a veil and she didn’t register Holly coming towards her.

‘Earth to Rose!’ she called when she was just a couple of feet away.

‘Hey. Sorry. My mind was elsewhere.’

‘Clearly. Oh I meant to say, Tony asked after you today,’ Holly teased.

Rose’s face must have registered her awkward reaction to his news as Holly continued, ‘You mean you don’t fancy the gorgeous coffee shop owner who keeps showering you with attention?’